Today we’d like to introduce you to Guzel Gjenasaj
Guzel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like a spiral circle, my life has touched upon recurring themes of family, loss, community, healing and rebirth.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and spent many pivotal Summers in Montenegro (the Former Yugoslavia). My ancestry is Albanian and I’m blessed to know the language and culture. However, growing up in NY expanded my horizons beyond the expectations of my family to marry and follow our traditions.
Instead, I left at 20 and set out to experience life as fully as I could.
I landed in Los Angeles and set out to build a community. Now almost 30 years later, I’m blessed to be a part of the most beautiful community of humans that share similar values,
Along the way, I studied Cultural Anthropology at CSUN, and Transformational Psychology at University of Philosophical Research.
After an almost tragic car accident, in 2010, and two surgeries, I was in chronic pain and in search of holistic healing. I found Reiki, and became attuned by Chris Eagle as a Reiki Master.
The quest for healing lead to to a medicine path that began in 2011, after sitting with Ayahuasca, other plant & fungi medicines. These experiences opened the door to invitations to Native American, Mayan and Earth Based Ceremonies, I was initiated as a fire keeper and began hosting Full and New Moon circles for all genders to attend.
My journey with plant medicine also brought in an invitation to the Moondance, in Teotihuacan Mexico. As of 2024, I’ve completed 8 dances, have been initiated as a pipe carrier and received the blessing to pour for Sweat Lodge.
In 2013, I co-founded Cross Pollinate, a Women’s Empowerment Gathering in Los Angeles. We had several well attended gatherings that brought women from various fields together to collaborate and receive support.
Since 2019, I’ve been mentoring/coaching women in Midlife, as I’ve also been going through the journey myself.
In 2024, I began hosting online collectives for women in Midlife. This quote by Kate Hodges accurately describes my belief….“Behind every great woman… is another great woman.”
This portal of Peri/Menopause and Midlife is our opportunity to be rebirthed into the most empowered version of ourselves and my mission is to not only embody that but also support other women in attaining it for themselves.
I facilitate in person fire circles and sweatlodges in Los Angeles.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth road in life? What’s that like? LOL!
As I’ve grown in age, and experience, it’s become very clear that the bumps in the road are what open us to growth and new pathways that are available to live life full spectrum and to bring us closer to wholeness.
Becoming our whole selves. Which is what I believe we came here (earth) to do.
My unique story is rooted in my upbringing, and the rejection of the expectations of my family, to have an arranged marriage and stay close to home.
The decision I made came with no support from my immediate family. Being disowned created a lot of pain for many years. The heart ache of that set me on a path to heal. In addition to a near tragic car accident in 2010, I was propelled onto a healing path with plant medicine, earth based ceremonies, and practices that have opened my mind, and heart, in ways I could never have imagined.
I’ve found the most beautifully loving and supportive chosen family and have some loving blood relatives that have stood by my side.
The journey opened me to work I never imagined doing and serving my community in a way that fills my heart.
When I tune into my heart the message is always to love more.
To love myself, to love others and to love this magnificent planet.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I dedicate my life to guiding individuals back to their innate power, earth-based wisdom, and community activism.
With a background in Anthropology from California State University, Northridge, and further studies in Transformational Psychology at the University of Philosophical Research.
I’m an expert in community building and have created thousands of in-person gatherings for like minded people to find their tribe. I’m committed to creating more gatherings which I find are needed more than ever in these divisive times.
I am an attuned Reiki Master and an 8 year Moon dancer with Ollintlahuimetztli in Teotihuacan, Mexico. I am also a pipe carrier and Sweat lodge Guide.
Since 2008, I have been on a deep spiritual journey, learning various healing modalities from distinguished masters. My work with plant medicine, fungi, tantra, breathwork, and many somatic practices guides me in trauma and generational healing, cultivating a compassionate heart.
I have hosted Fire Circles in Los Angeles, since 2012, and co-founded Cross Pollinate, a women’s empowerment gathering, in 2013.
Currently, I’m serving as a Midlife Midwife, focusing on supporting women through the perimenopause and menopause journey. Guiding them to be empowered during this transformative time.
I offer individual online mentoring, online cohorts for women, and various ceremonies in Los Angeles and beyond.
My Fire Circles and Sweatlodge are called Rainbow. Inviting in all people, of any lineage, who want to gather together for the collective healing of the planet.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love to collaborate and believe the core of who we are is to be in relationship with one another.
Currently, I am open to in-person and online collaborations around gathering community.
Especially in these most challenging times, it’s more important than ever that we find our tribe and gather.
If you’re interested in collaborating with me please reach out!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://guzelgjenasaj.com
- Instagram: @spiralcirclehealing
Image Credits
Samir Janjua, Tiffany Judkins
